CVE-2020-4281 in DOORS Next Generation
Summary
by MITRE
IBM DOORS Next Generation (DNG/RRC) 6.0.2, 6.0.6, 6.0.6.1, and 7.0 is vulnerable to cross-site scripting. This vulnerability allows users to embed arbitrary JavaScript code in the Web UI thus altering the intended functionality potentially leading to credentials disclosure within a trusted session. IBM X-Force ID: 176141.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/26/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-4281 affects IBM DOORS Next Generation (DNG/RRC) versions 6.0.2, 6.0.6, 6.0.6.1, and 7.0, representing a critical cross-site scripting flaw that compromises web application security. This vulnerability exists within the web user interface of the software, creating an attack vector that allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into the application's response. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the web application's processing pipeline, enabling attackers to manipulate the application's behavior through crafted user inputs.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the failure to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it within the web interface. When legitimate users interact with the application, particularly through input fields or parameters that are not adequately validated, malicious JavaScript code can be executed within the context of other users' sessions. This occurs because the application fails to implement proper content security policies and fails to encode output data in a manner that prevents script execution. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as a cross-site scripting attack, which specifically targets the application's failure to properly validate and sanitize user inputs before incorporating them into web responses. The attack chain typically involves an attacker crafting malicious payloads that exploit the input validation weaknesses, which are then executed when other users view the affected content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can lead to complete session hijacking and credential theft within trusted user sessions. When an attacker successfully injects JavaScript code, they can potentially access session cookies, form data, and other sensitive information that users have entered or that the application has stored. This vulnerability creates a significant risk for organizations using DNG/RRC, as it allows attackers to impersonate legitimate users and gain unauthorized access to sensitive requirements management data. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that DOORS Next Generation is used for managing critical requirements and specifications in software development projects, making the potential compromise of user sessions particularly damaging. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1531 (Credential Access through Web Application Session Hijacking) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) as attackers can leverage the injected scripts to perform further malicious activities.
Organizations should implement multiple layers of mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability effectively. Immediate remediation involves applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates that address the cross-site scripting flaws in the affected versions of IBM DOORS Next Generation. System administrators should also implement proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the application's configuration, ensuring that all user inputs are properly sanitized before processing. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense in depth, though these should not be relied upon as the sole protection mechanism. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns of user behavior or attempts to inject malicious scripts into the application. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular security assessments of their web applications and implement comprehensive user education programs to raise awareness about phishing and social engineering attacks that might exploit this vulnerability. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining current security patches and implementing proper security controls in accordance with industry standards such as those recommended by NIST and ISO 27001 for protecting web applications against common attack vectors.